Folding cot for campers



Oct. 26,1954 Q M RMNWATER 2,692,395

FOLDING COT FOR CAMPERS Filed June l5. 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet l 20 a 2p A3) 24 JNVENToR. Ole/ww N. @wu/ATER F* 1477'oR/VEY- Oct. 26, 1954 o. M. RAINwATER FOLDING COT FOR CAMPERS 2 sheets-sheet 2 Filed June 15. 1948 INVENTOR. OP/m/v N. ,Q4/NMA Tf@ Patented Oct. 26, l1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FOLDING COT EUR CAMPERS Orman M. Rainwater, Culver City, Calif.

Application June 15, 1948, Serial No. 33,033

7 claims. 1

This invention relates to folding cots and is directed primarily toward providing an improved folding cot for use by campers. l

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a folding cot which, when folded, will t against the rear side of the back of the front seat of a passenger automobile. Another object is to provide a folding cot which may be used either with legs supporting it on the ground or on a floor surface, or with legs folded and supported across the top of the front and rear seat backs of a passenger automobile.

Another object is to provide a folding cot of relatively simple and inexpensive construction.

A further object is to provide an all metal folding cot eliminating springs and webbing. Another object is to provide an all metal folding cot that is of fairly light weight construction.

A further object is to provide a folding cot which utilizes webbing of relatively thin sheet metal and which is so constructed as to permit the webbing to sag somewhat to conform to the rounded curvature of a persons body resting thereon.

Another object of the invention is to provide a folding cot having novel and improved means for rigidifying its hinge joint. A further object is to provide a folding cot having a novel and improved arrangement of folding legs and stop means for arresting the legs in extended position.

Other objects will become apparent in the ensuing specifications and appended drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is an inverted plan view of a folding cot embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view, partially in section, of the cot with its legs extended;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the cot with legs extended, taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view through one of the leg hinges;

Fig. 5 is a detail longitudinal sectional view takenthrough a corner of the cot adjacent one of the legs;

Fig. 6 is a vertical detail sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1, showing one of the joint braces; Y

Fig. 7 is a horizontal longitudinal sectional view of the same, taken on the line I-'I of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a vertical transverse sectional view of the same;

Fig. 9 is a vertical transverse sectionalview of a modified form of the joint brace;

Fig. 10 is a schematic view of auxiliary means for supporting the cot; and

Fig. 11 is an end view of the same.

As an example of one form in which the invention may be embodied, I have shown in the drawing a folding cot comprising two identical sections hinged together along a central, transverse hinge axis determined by hinges i9. Each of these sections comprises a pair of longitudinal rails II of angle section metal, preferably aluminum or aluminum alloy. Each rail II has a horizontal flange I2 and a vertical flange I3, the horizontal flange I2 being at the bottom and the vertical flange I3 projecting upwardly. The rails II are connected by end cross bars I4 and central cross bars I5, each comprising a flat bar of metal, preferably aluminum or aluminumV alloy, having its respective ends riveted or bolted or welded to the upper faces of the flanges I2. The cot sections are open ended in the sense that their hinged ends have unobstructed open spaces dened between the web sheet I6, at the adjoining edges thereof, and the cross bars I5 which are spaced downwardly therefrom, whereby the web sheet I6 may sag downwardly under the weight of an occupant of the cot, as hereinafter specified.

Sheet metal webs or cover sheets IE are extended between and supported upon the upper edges of the vertical flanges I3. The webs I6 are secured by flanges I1 thereof, bent downwardly and riveted or welded to the outer faces of the vertical flanges I3 of the rails.

The central cross bars I5 are hinged together by means of hinges I9 which are secured to their lower faces. This makes it possible for the two sections of the bed to break at the axis of hinges I9 and to fold against each other with the lower faces of the horizontal flanges I2 in contact with each other. The cot as thus folded is approximately two feet by three feet in dimension and will fit very well behind the back of the front seat in an upstanding position resting upon one of its sides, closely adjacent the rear face of the seat back.

The two sections of the cot, when moved to their extended positions shown in full lines in the drawings, will, when the cot is supported at its ends, provide a bridging structure the central region of which is `relatively rigid under downwardly applied loads. Support is derived from the engagement of the squared ends of the rail anges I3, reinforced by abutment blocks 20, the ends of which are flush with the ends of the flanges I3. The joint between the sections is further reinforced, and is locked against upward hinging movement, by locking bars 2|. The abutment blocks 20 (Fig. 8) are channel shaped, having flanges 22 which embrace the sides of the latch bar 2|. One end of each latch bar 2| is hinged on a pin 23 the ends of which are mounted in the flanges 22 of one of the abutment blocks 20, and the other end of each latch bar projects beyond the end of the adjoining abutment block and is adapted to be secured by a latch element 24 pivoted at 25 to the adjacent flange I3. With the locking bars 2| thus latched, they are conned in engagement with the respec tive abutment blocks 23, co-acting with the flanges 22 to rigidify the joint between the cot sections. By rotating the latch elements 24 they may be moved to positions where they will release the ends of the locking bars 2|, and the fingers of the operator may be inserted beneath the projecting ends of the bars to move them forwardly until they are each released from one of the blocks 22. With both of the locking bars thus released, the two cot sections may then be hinged to their folded positions.

In the modified form of the locking bar arrangement shown in Fig. 9, the flanges ISa of the side rails are provided, near the hinge axis, with anges 22al projecting outwardly from their outer sides, and the locking bars 2| are disposed on the louter sides instead of the inner sides of the rails. Otherwise, the construction and operi ation of the locking bars and their coaction with the flanges 22a may be the same as in the form of the invention previously described. Abutment blocks 23a in the form of plain rectangular blocks, may be secured to the inner faces of the flanges I3a on either side of the hinge joint, and may cooperate in the same manner as the abutment blocks 20.

Supporting legs 26 are secured, as by welding, to hinge rods 2'I which have projecting ends constituting trunnions that are journalled in pillow blocks 28. The pillow blocks 28 are secured to flanges l2 of the side rails I| near the ends of the latter. The pillow blocks 2B are located adjacent the end cross bars I4, being spaced therefrom just the right distance so that the legs 26 will engage the bars I4 when they have been moved from inwardly folded positions to positions slightly beyond the perpendicular as shown in Fig. 2. With this arrangement, the legs require no braces to hold them in extended position, downward loads on the cot tending to tighten their engagement with the cross bars I4 because of their past center position.

It may now be noted that the rails I3 are transversely connected only by the crossbars I4 and I5 attached to their anges I2, and that there are no direct connections between the upper extremities of the flanges I3, with the exception of the webs I6. Consequently, the weight of a person lying upon the cot will tend to sag the webs I6', springing the flanges I3 toward each other as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3, thus slightly rounding the supporting surface of the cot to the contour of the persons body. It is to be understood of course that a mattress (for example, a three inch sponge rubber mattress) will be used with the cot, and the combination of the cushioning qualities of such a mattress with the yielding characteristic of the webs I6 will produce very comfortable sleeping characteristics.

The inward springing of the flanges I3 is yieldingly resisted by the crossbars I4 and I5, which will bow slightly to accommodate the twisting of the rails I I. In this connection, the cross bars I4 and I5 are constructed from one of the harder aluminum alloys, such as the type that is ordinarily designated ST. The rails |I are also preferably of one of these harder alloys. The web I6 may be of a softer aluminum sheet.

It is lobvious from the foregoing that the cot is constructed from a relatively few parts in an inexpensive manner, and yet is very sturdy. When constructed of aluminum, the cot is quite light in weight and is easily handled. When supported upon a floor or upon the ground, the legs 2B are used. When supported across the backs of the front and rear seats of a motor vehicle, the legs 26 are folded into alignment with the rails II and the ends of the rails II are directly supported on the seat backs.

Fig. 10 illustrates an auxiliary supporting mechanism for supporting the cot within a passenger vehicle without resting against the seat backs. In this modified form of the invention, the respective sections of the cot are equipped with sockets 29 which are secured to the undersides ofthe rails I I, and these sockets are adapted to support the cot upon a pair of transverse supporting bars 30. The supporting bars 30 have end fingers 3| bent at right angles to their main body portions, and the fingers 3| are adapted to be received in the upper ends of tubular supporting posts 32 and 33. IThe supporting posts 32 have shoes 34 the toe portions of which are Wedge shaped, having inclined faces 35 that are adapted to wedge against the rear lower Vcorner of the front seat back 36. The shoes 34 are kicked beneath the bottom of the rear seatback 36, in the toe space 3l common in passenger vehicles. The shoes 34 will then support the posts 32 immediately behind the front seat back 33. The upper ends of the posts A32 are tied together by the supporting bars 30, whereby a stable supporting structure is provided.: The posts 33 are relatively short and have braces vor shoes 38A which are adapted to rest upon the rear shelf 39 which is commonly incorporated between the rear seat back 40and the rear window of a passenger vehicle.

Fig. 10 not only illustrates the supporting of the cot upon auxiliary supporting means, but also illustrates the positionl that the cot will assume as it is supported directly upon the upper extremities of the seat backs 35 and 40, with the exception that the cot will of course be approximately one-half inch lower, restingdirectly upon the seat back.

I claim: j

l. In a folding cot, a pair of open-ended cot sections each comprising a pair of L-section side rails each providing at its lower side an inwardly extending horizontal flange and each providing a vertical ange projecting upwardly from said horizontal flange, and a pair of rectangular webs of sheet metal secured to and bridging the upper edges of said vertical fianges tov provide a supporting surface, cross bars secured to said horizontal flanges at the respective ends of said rails, said bars extending transversely and functioning as struts to maintain said rails in spaced relation, and functioning to resist inward springing of vsaid horizontal flanges toward each otherI said vertical flanges being unconnected except by said webs and said cross-bars, and being adapted to therefore yield toward each other at their upper edges to yieldingly allow said webs to sag under loads imposed thereon and hinges connecting adjacent cross bars together on a transverse axis located midway between the ends of the cot and substantially in the plane of Vsaid horizontal flanges, whereby said sections may be folded back upon each other with said horizontal flanges coming together said webs being spaced vertically above said bars throughout the width of the cot.

2. In a folding cot, a pair of open-ended cot sections each comprising a pair of L-section side rails each providing at its lower side an inwardly extending horizontal fiange and each providing a vertical flange projecting upwardly from said horizontal iiange, and a pair of rectangular webs of sheet metal secured to and bridging the upper edges of said vertical flanges to provide a supporting surface, cross bars secured to said horizontal flanges at the respective ends of said rails, said bars extending transversely and functioning as struts to maintain said rails in spaced relation, and functioning to resist inward springing of said horizontal flanges toward each other, said vertical flanges being unconnected except by said webs and said cross-bars, and being adapted to therefore yield toward each other at their upper edges to yieldingly allow said webs to sag under loads imposed thereon hinges connecting adjacent cross bars together on a transverse axis located midway between the ends of the cot and substantially in the plane of said horizontal flanges, whereby said sections may be folded back upon each other with said horizontal flanges coming together, and legs hinged to said rails on transverse axes ad'- jacent the cross bars at the ends of the cot, said hinge axes of the legs being disposed somewhat above the plane of the cross bars and said legs making abutting engagement with the inner edges of the cross bars when moved to positions inclined outwardly slightly beyond the perpendicular, whereby downward loads imposed upon said legs will cause them to lock against said cross bars said webs being spaced vertically above said bars throughout the width of the cot.

3. A cot as defined in claim 2, wherein said legs fold into alignment with said side rails and wherein said side rails have lower faces that are unobstructedly straight when the legs are thus folded, so that the cot may be utilized with the side rails supported directly upon transverse supporting members, near the ends of the cot.

4. A cot as dened in claim 2, including a pair of locking bars each hinged at one end to one of the side rails adjacent the break between the hinged ends thereof and extending substantially equidistantly on both sides of said break, and latch means for securing said locking bar in engagement with the rails on either side of said break.

5. In a folding cot, a pair of cot sections each comprising a pair of L-section side rails each providing at its lower side an inwardly extending horizontal flange and each providing a vertical iiange projecting upwardly from said horizontal flange, and a pair of rectangular webs of sheet metal secured to said vertical flanges and bridging the upper edges thereof to provide a supporting surface, cross bars secured to said horizontal flanges at the respective ends of said rails, said bars extending transversely and functioning as struts to maintain said rails in spaced relation, hinges connecting adjacent cross bars together on a transverse axis located midway between the ends of the cot and substantially in the plane of said horizontal flanges, whereby said sections may be folded back upon each other with said horizontal flanges coming together, legs hinged to said rails on transverse axes adjacent the cross bars at the ends of the cot, said hinge axes of the legs being disposed somewhat above the plane of the cross bars and said legs making abutting engagement with the inner edges of the cross bars when moved to positions inclined outwardly slightly beyond the perpendicular, whereby downward loads imposed upon said legs will cause them to lock against said cross bars, a pair of locking bars each hinged at one end to one of the side rails adjacent the break between the hinged ends of the rails, and extending substantially equidistantly on both sides of said break, latch means for securing said locking bar in engagement with the rails on the other side of said break., and means defining shoulders between which said locking bar is snugly received, said locking bar coacting with said shoulders to firmly resist hinging movement between the cot sections said webs being spaced vertically above said bars throughout the width of the cot.

6. In a folding cot, a pair of cot sections each comprising spaced side rails, inner and outer cross bars secured to respective ends of said rails, extending transversely of the rails and cooperative therewith to define rectangular frames, a

pair of rectangular webs of sheet material secured to and bridging the upper portions of said side rails to cooperatively provide a supporting surface, hinge means connecting the inner cross bar of one section to the inner cross bar of the other section on a transverse hinge axis intermediate the ends of the cot, and substantially in the planes of the lower portions of said frames, said rails having squared ends above said hinge axis abutting each other to resist downward sagging of the cot at its center, below a position in which the two sections lie in substantially a common plane, abutment blocks secured to the end portions of the respective rails adjacent said hinge axis and having ends in abutting engagement to aid in supporting the cot against such sagging, said abutment blocks having at their upper and lower extremities, flanges defining channels, a locking bar hinged at one end to one of each pair of abutment blocks and snugly receivable in the channels thereof, in abutting lengagement with said flanges, whereby to rigidify the cot in its extended condition, and means for latching the free ends of said locking bars to maintain them in locking engagement in the channels, said webs being spaced vertically above said bars throughout the width of the cot.

7. A cot as dened in claim 6, wherein said hinged end of each locking bar is hinged on a vertical axis between its coacting fianges at the outer end of one of the abutment blocks.

References Cited in the file 0f this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 346,454 Baldwin Aug. 3, 1886 535,419 Scutt Mar. 12, 1895 662,557 Cole Nov. 27, 1900 686,649 Follett Nov. 12, 1901 718,159 Rundgvist Jan. 13, 1903 1,003,780 Newrath Sept. 19, 1911 1,116,562 Calmes Nov. 10, 1914 1,333,924 Kay Mar. 16, 1920 1,378,001 Anderson May 17, 1921 1,402,721 Windsor Feb. 5, 1924 1,579,508 Brouyette Apr. 6, 1926 1,586,355 Defranco May 25, 1926 

